LAUNCESTON couple Ashley and Carole Chettle are "distraught" after an attack on their son Justin's grave left a long standing tribute in pieces.

Between the evening of Saturday, July 23 and Thursday, July 28 a floral decoration bearing Justin's name was trampled and broken; the plastic frame smashed into several pieces, indicating, the couple said, that it had been done purposefully and unfortunately not by misfortune.

"If it was an accident and someone had come and said sorry it'd be different, but there's no way — this isn't an accident, it's far worse. It's just malicious" said Carole.

For the full report, and a round up of the local news and sport, please see this week's edition of the 'Post'.